The Most Festive Window in The Hague

Molenstraat in The Hague

Every year we wait to see what will be in this little shop window in the lovely old Molenstraat in The Hague. And this year we were not disappointed. It is even better than last year and I am positive there are even more models whizzing and whirling. I took this photo today after waiting for lots of kids to stop gazing in awe at this wintry wonder world. I think the shop owner deserves an award for outdoing the displays in the big stores and I hear he does an excellent facial as well. I am not going to tell you exactly what number it is – let your kids spot it first. It appeals to kids of all ages by the way. And if you do find a better window, please let us know.

Also spotted today a lovely Gingerbread house at The Cheesecake Company on Torenstraat opposite the Grote Kerk. This gorgeous little creation is up for sale for a fair price and will help raise funds for research into Cystic Fibrosis. So do go and make an offer and have a slice of proper Cheesecake – it’s is the real thing, rich, creamy and decadent. But hey it is the season to be ever so slightly spoiled! And a quick tip for last minute presents for those last minute shoppers – Lemon Curd at De Bakkers Winkel on Torenstraat, Chutney at Kelly’s Expat Shop on Piet Heinstraat,  Stemless wine glasses & wine at La Buena Vida on the Fahrenheitstraat or some glorious fair trade crafty thingies at Waar by the Grote Kerk.

The Best Gingerbread house this year!

Enjoy!

Residence de la Mode 2010

The Hague is the centre of Dutch fashion from 28 October – 7 November 2010. Highlights during this event are a fashion tour through the city centre, a high fashion gallery store by Dutch top talent, fashion activities and of course plenty of shopping discounts. The Dutch Fashion Foundation will host the ‘Dutch Fashion Awards 2010’ in The Hague on 5 November.

website: residencedelamode.nl
twitter: twitter.com/ResidenceMode & facebook page

The Hague has it’s own Gaga

You know you want to look good

Gaga’s-Style on the trendy Prinsestraat in the city centre is THE place to go get your hair done. Gaga Jovanovic has over 20 years experience in hairdressing and has been cutting hair for over 7 years in The Hague. Her dedication to making each person feel comfortable and at ease while working wonders on your hair is what will make you come back for more.

It is no secret that I trust her with my hair! If you are looking for a hairdresser in The Hague I can personally recommend Gaga’s Style, tell her Lisa sent you : ).

Location: Prinsestraat 86, 2513 CG Den Haag
Telephone: 070 3652695 ‎
Transport: tram stop Noordwal tram 17
Website: gaga-style.nl

Antique Shopping in The Hague

Lange Voorhout antiques and book market

The Antiques Diva Tours are 4 or 8 hour shopping excursions started by Toma Clark Haines with the goal of teaching you all you need to know about antique shopping in Europe.  The tours are offered in various cities throughout Europe, including Paris, Brussels, Berlin and The Hague.  In fact, it is the Antique Diva’s opinion that the antique shopping in The Hague is among the best in Europe, making special note of the Denneweg and Fredrikstraat.  The antiques and book market found on the stately and dignified Lange Voorhout every Thursday and Sunday from May to October, is another must for lovers of antiques.

Find out more about antique shopping in the Hague at the Hague Tourist Information website. For more information about The Antique Diva Tours visit the website.

A city with royal style

For my very first 52 cities’ guide I made a walk through the centre of The Hague. Start along the leafy Lange Voorhout with the Palace where Queen Emma lived from 1901 to l934. Nowadays it is a museum [1] tributed to the Dutch artist Escher. The prestigious Hotel Des Indes [2] built in 1858 had many royal guests, aristocrats and celebrities. Enjoy an afternoon tea in the lovely lounge area. Every Thursday and Sunday from May until the end of September you’ll find the antique market on the Lange Voorhout. Pulchri Studio [3] is an artist’s society, established in 1847. In this building the artists show their works of art (free entrance). The history of the Kloosterkerk starts around 1400 AD. Every last Sunday of the month a cantata service is held in collaboration of the Residential Bach Orchestra and the Residential Chamber Orchestra. In 2009 the Indonesian restaurant Garoeda [4] celebrated its 60^th anniversary. You can enjoy either a light lunch up to a complete Rijsttafel (ricetable). One of the most famous clients of De Graaff Tobacconist [5] in the Heulstraat was Churchill himself. Palace Noordeinde built in 1533 is Queen Beatrix’ work palace. Every Wednesday morning foreign ambassadors arrive here in horse carriages. Not only Princess Maxima loves to shop in the boutiques at the Noordeinde and Hoogstraat. Enjoy an Italian cappuccino at Deluca, situated on the corner of the oldest shopping centre in Holland, the Passage, built between 1882 and 1885. The Dutch government is located in the Binnenhof, built in the 13th century. On the third Tuesday of September Queen Beatrix holds her speech in the gothic Ridderzaal. The office of the Prime Minister is in the so-called Torentje next to the 17^th century Mauritshuis [6]. In this museum you’ll find a collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Jan Steen and Frans Hals.

[1] Escher in Het Paleis, Lange Voorhout 74, www.escherinhetpaleis.nl

[2] Hotel Des Indes, Lange Voorhout 54-56, www.desindes.nl

[3] Pulchri Studio, Lange Voorhout 15, www.pulchri.nl

[4] Indonesian restaurant Garoeda, Kneuterdijk 18a, www.garoeda.nl

[5] G. de Graaff Tobacconist, Heulstraat 27, www.gdegraaff.com

[6] Mauritshuis, Korte Vijverberg 8, www.mauritshuis.nl

Where to buy Tea in The Hague? At Marion’s Betjeman and Barton Teashop

Marion van den Blik decided to share her passion for tea with others and opened shop in The Hague in August 1992. It was the first teashop of Betjeman and Barton in the Netherlands. Betjeman and Barton is originally a partnership between two English tea lovers who had set up shop in Paris in 1919.

Marion’s Betjeman and Barton shop offers a choice of no less than 180 hand picked teas, black or green, classic or perfumed. Tea from the beautiful silver gray tins or tea prepacked in the famous hand sown cotton bags. Marion also offers many great and original teapots, from the Dutch manufacturer Bredemeijer, Zero Japan, Emma Bridgewater, Bunzlau or from GreenGate. She has also plenty to offer that goes together well with a nice pot of tea from like cookies, sweets, chocolate and cakes from Heerlijkheid Mariënwaerdt, Cottage Delight, Granny’s or from NewTree Chocolate.

In the beautiful shop at Denneweg 25c in Den Haag you will find a nice mix of Dutch cosiness, French elegance and English class. If you don’t have time to visit the beautiful shop – and you know which tea you like, you can always order at Marion’s Barton Webshop

Finally, we’ve asked Marion to write from time to time here about her tea passion and her passion for The Hague. I hope she will find some time for it. You can also find her on Twitter as @BetjemanThee.

The Hague Market, the biggest market in Europe

With over 500 stalls the Hague Market is the biggest market in Europe! Besides being open 4 days a week you can find almost anything on the market. It is handy to know that their goods range from fresh produce to clothing, flowers and many more items.

If you are not a crowd lover then go early to the market, it opens just before 9am and you are sure to avoid the hectic part of the day and maybe more importantly not fall over a pram or somebody’s “granny” shopping trolley.

Handy to know is that fruit/veg/meat/fish/ section starts on the Hoefkade side, all other goods can be found on the other side starting at the Hobbemaplein. I have been told that Wednesday is the best day to buy seafood.  My other tip is to set a budget when you go and stick to it, there are too many specials and great deals, before you know it you come home with more than you needed!

Location: Herman Costerstraat, The Hague
Open: 8.45 tot 17.00 uur on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Public transport: “het Hobbemaplein”, tram 6, 11, 12 & bus 25 or “de Hoefkade” tram 11, 12 en bus 127, 130.
Parking: QPark, De Heemstraat 301, 2525 ET Den Haag

Slagerij Rob Van der Zalm

I needed to start the Shopping and Food and Drinks categories. As I’m currently the “Mayor” of Slagerij Rob van der Zalm (a slager is a butcher) on Foursquare with 2 check ins only, I thought to start with them.

I believe that their mouthwatering hamburgers of Angus beef are the closest to the real American style hamburgers, but I would gladly change my opinion for that of a real American with real American hamburger experience.

A lot of shopping to follow.

Update:

It turns out there are two butchers Slagerij van der Zalm, one in Oegstgeest and one in The Hague. The one from The Hague is Rob van der Zalm. Fortunately Foursquare gave me the correct place to login to, but the Foursquare page of Rob van der Zalm needs some updating…

Updated by Happy Hotelier on December 21, 2012 om 10:07 pm